Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed.
FOI Oklahoma doesn't just believe in the right of access: it acts to help guarantee that right. Visit us at www.foioklahoma.org.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Will state Senate stand in way of truly open conference committee process?

It was a smart move by Speaker Kris Steele when he got the House to pass a rule opening up House conference committee meetings. But the next few weeks will demonstrate how well the new openness works.

The Senate has not passed such a rule calling for openness in conference committee meetings. Therefore, the public will not be privy to what happens when bills go to Senate conference committees.

A joint conference committee has both House and Senate members who need to approve a measure before it goes to the full House and Senate.

So how will they do this? How can the House meet in the open and the Senate not abide by the same rule?

It appears the result will be that only half the process will be open to the public, that is the activity on the House side.

The notice shall include a listing and sufficient title for identification of the bills to be considered by the standing conference committee holding the meeting.

Standing conference committees shall meet at the call of the chairperson within the dates, times and locations designated by the Speaker. (Rule 7.17)

No standing conference committee shall sit during a floor session of the House without special leave from the Speaker.

All votes cast in standing conference committees shall be conducted in open, public meetings. (Rule 7.18)

In a standing conference committee, only the vote to recommend adoption of the conference committee report shall be recorded.

.....

Mick Hinton
Freelance Journalist
FOI Oklahoma Inc. Member

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.

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About Me

When individuals or organizations in Oklahoma believe that their access rights are threatened, they turn to FOI Oklahoma for help. We contact those who are limiting freedom of access to encourage them to comply with the laws.
We also conduct workshops for educators, students, government officials, attorneys and the general public. Our Web site provides a number of resources, including a model letter for records requests and primers on Oklahoma's open meeting and records laws.
Our services and resources are made possible by paid memberships and donations. Interested in joining? Visit www.foioklahoma.org.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.